Black Form (1984)

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Black Form is an abstract painted steel sculpture by Israel Hadany (born 1941). The work is 4 feet wide and 12 feet tall and stands upon a concrete base. Hadany was inspired to create the sculpture upon a visit to Muhlenberg College in the 1970s. After thoroughly inspecting the campus, he declared that he would like to build a sculpture outside the Center of the Arts building, where it resides today. Several years later, the work was dedicated by Muhlenberg College on December 14, 1984 at noon (a little over a year after it had arrived on campus). The dedication was attended by Philip and Muriel Berman, who funded the work.

The meaning behind this abstract piece is left completely open to interpretation thanks to its conceptual form and ambiguous title. The artist, however, has expressed an interest in creating timeless, emotive pieces. He also seeks to create work that is reflective, in his words, of a search for “true art;” it is likely that Black Form falls into one of these categories. Hadany is renowned worldwide for his sculptures and is known for environmental pieces such as the Hadany Arch in Muncy, PA.

Sources:
Morning Call, December, 1984
www.israelhadany.com